English fans deported for wearing Nazi symbols
(Bloomberg.com)
Updated: 2006-06-14 09:45

Two English soccer fans wearing Nazi SS symbols on their T-shirts -- an offense that can draw a fine or jail time in Germany -- were deported to the U.K. after being arrested at a World Cup Match in Frankfurt by German police.

The two men, aged 21 and 24, were handed over to U.K. authorities, Frankfurt police spokesman Peter Freier said today. They were among 13 English soccer fans who were arrested June 10 in Frankfurt following the England-Paraguay match.

Frankfurt was packed with English fans as their team kicked off its World Cup campaign on Saturday. The city's Waldstadion arena was almost three-quarters filled by English fans. Many of the rest watched on large screens floating on the Main river.

Among the spectators was Prince William, second in line to the British throne. His younger brother, Harry, last year attracted criticism after he wore a desert combat uniform and a swastika at a costume party. Harry apologized for the incident.

Germany has put 266,000 police on duty for the World Cup, almost four times the personnel at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. The tournament, which includes 32 nations lasts through July 9, is forecast to attract at least 1 million foreign fans to the country and more than 1 billion television viewers